Only about 7% of students with intellectual disabilities are enrolled in a college or university.

In the year after completing high school.

The University of Kentucky recently started a comprehensive transition and postsecondary education program, also known as a CTP, which supports college bound students with an intellectual disability and job preparation, community engagement and independent living.

Right.

Right, right, right.

The College and Career Studies program is U. K's CTP, and it's a non-degree program for students with intellectual disability who are seeking a college experience as part of their path after high school.

And we support students in attending classes, exploring interests and career options, and navigating campus life.

CC As students.

Take existing classes.

Based on their interests and goals.

These are all classes with other UK students, so it's fully inclusive and we also help connect students with peer mentors.

So students may take classes for.

Credit or audit if they're in this program, depending on their goals for the program.

Each student will also do three semesters.

Of career exploration, which might be through a practicum class work, study or internship.

And students can complete the program with 24 credit hours, which would usually be completed in about four semesters or two years.

Switching Ann has always had big ideas of things she wanted to do.

And we would say, Well, we're really not sure if you can do that, but we'll see what we can do So Ann always assumed she belonged here at UK.

Zero fear, zero doubt.

So of course, as a parent, we were scared half to death.

So we we started out with the program with Aaron, stuck by our side.

She went to class with her and probably within two weeks they just said, you know, she can handle this on her own.

I will go about it.

Okay.

It was so cool.

I am accepted.

It was fun to talk.

But like my family and Lexie, they have a heavy heart in me so much and their lives.

It's important for the individuals knowing to come to these programs.

Because even for me, college was a next step in life.

It's independence, but not quite independence.

It's the way you build your own confidence.

You know, it prepares you for the next big step in life, no matter what that may be in it.

It's something that hasn't always been there for children with intellectual disabilities or other types of disabilities.

So this this is filling that gap for these students because they deserve to be here.

They deserve to be in a program.

And I have one now.

I'm taking ballet.

I can jog my food things and get to library every day and hang out with my friends, with Ian every day.

And I like to think of those days.

I would love to.

And it's.

Wonderful.

I hope students will leave the program with a strong sense of what they would like to do next in life and the confidence and tools to work toward those goals.

Every time I go watch ITV, he said, terrific and hard and Jill is down.

So this is my chance And is.

Well done.

Excellent.

There are currently four colleges in Kentucky with a CTP program, the University of Kentucky, Northern Kentucky University, Murray State University and the Bluegrass Community and Technical College.